Jump to content

Welcome to the new Traders Laboratory! Please bear with us as we finish the migration over the next few days. If you find any issues, want to leave feedback, get in touch with us, or offer suggestions please post to the Support forum here.

  • Welcome Guests

    Welcome. You are currently viewing the forum as a guest which does not give you access to all the great features at Traders Laboratory such as interacting with members, access to all forums, downloading attachments, and eligibility to win free giveaways. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free. Create a FREE Traders Laboratory account here.

jason_e

Trading Platforms for Mac?

Recommended Posts

Hey guys, I've been trading equities and options and am now looking to start trading e-mini futures. I was wondering if anyone can recommend a broker with software that runs on a mac and will also allow me a demo/papertrade account to learn with. Thanks

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Hey guys, I've been trading equities and options and am now looking to start trading e-mini futures. I was wondering if anyone can recommend a broker with software that runs on a mac and will also allow me a demo/papertrade account to learn with. Thanks

 

I use ninja via parallels on my mac. It works for me, but I have to deal with windows and all its BS.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
I use ninja via parallels on my mac. It works for me, but I have to deal with windows and all its BS.

 

yea thats my last resort, I'd like to find something native though if there is

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

.

One thing you could consider if you really want to trade on a Mac is using Windows (Mac) 7 instead.

 

Personally I'll stick with XP for another 5 or 10 years. Virus proof and a nice clean trading platform (1.5 second boot time each morning and no superfluous frills).

.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

yes. I used Investor/RT by LinnSoftwre, for many years. It is on mac osx and pc.

 

They are adding direct broker trading now. IB, Transact, and others I forgot.

 

It also has simulated trading. And many other features like playback etc...

 

trading from charts, trade lines for stop, target move line then order adjusts! :)

 

if need more info I be glad to try.

 

Mike

 

Investor/RT: The Trader's Ultimate Toolbox

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Trash the mac and use a PC. You dont have to worry about software issues. Falcon trading computers have some bang for your buck desktops. I purchased my desktop from them 8 months ago and im very satisfied. FYI: i dont work for them.

 

strtedat22

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I definitely wouldn't trash my Mac as strtedat22 recommends. Mac OSX beats the pants off Windows any day with none of Windows inherent problems. Unfortunately very very few of the brokers/charting software providers are bothered enough to provide software versions for the growing number of Mac users. The only exception, as mention by Tradr Mike, is IB and Investor RT by Linnsoft. Linnsoft is also in the process of adding additional brokers over the coming months. This is what I am currently using and I can say the IRT software for Mac us very good.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have been usin g a multi monitor mac for over 2 years now, with great success. It works fine, no issue, no reboots, and the most stable trading machine I have had to date...

 

I have been running with VMWARE Fusion, and run a windows XP workstation.

 

I can have my charts on the screens, and then switch to a different workspace, and have other applications up, very nice, very tricked out.

 

My question to other traders that use MAC's are have you found it to function with running VMWARE with up to 8 monitors?

 

How does it run?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You have been very fortunate v101. I am curious, what video cards do you have in your Mac and how old is it? I have a Mac Pro with 8gb of ram and dual Radeon X1900XT video cards which is around 21/2 years old now . I also run VMWare with Windows XP Pro. Unfortunately my experience has been less than satisfactory. I have 4 monitors and run the charting software on the Mac side on 3 with no problems. Unfortunately the performance on the remaining monitor running in Windows XP has been crap. After much research it appears that there is a driver issue with the Radeon X1900XT cards which basically aren't supported by either VMWare or Parallels. No drivers have been provided to correct the problem. None of this is a problem if you have Nvidea cards installed. I also have the exact same problem on my Mac Book Pro laptop which unfortunately also has a Radeon video card. If anyone has a solution to this I would certain be interested to hear.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
You have been very fortunate v101. I am curious, what video cards do you have in your Mac and how old is it? I have a Mac Pro with 8gb of ram and dual Radeon X1900XT video cards which is around 21/2 years old now . I also run VMWare with Windows XP Pro. Unfortunately my experience has been less than satisfactory. I have 4 monitors and run the charting software on the Mac side on 3 with no problems. Unfortunately the performance on the remaining monitor running in Windows XP has been crap. After much research it appears that there is a driver issue with the Radeon X1900XT cards which basically aren't supported by either VMWare or Parallels. No drivers have been provided to correct the problem. None of this is a problem if you have Nvidea cards installed. I also have the exact same problem on my Mac Book Pro laptop which unfortunately also has a Radeon video card. If anyone has a solution to this I would certain be interested to hear.

 

Can't you replace graphics cards on Macs? If the problem is with Radeon and they don't have a solution, but there are no issues with Nvidea, why don't you get a Nvidea card?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Sevensa. Yep thought of that. Unfortunately upon researching this idea I found that I can not use the new Nvidea cards in a Mac Pro over 2 years old - bummer. So, that leaves me with a Mac which is sub-standard in running either VMWare or Parallels. So, I've decided to trade in the old MacPro for a new i7 iMac to everything with the exception of trading. For trading I have a built a new Windows PC, as much as I hate Windows!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

eurotrader -

I have a newer imac which doesn't have the Radeon graphics card, I have the one screen with the imac, and then have a 23" in addition, no issues, no problems, but running out of real - estate on my screens, Need additional room for charts, as I like to have various time frames and follow them. My mac-book pro is has NVIDIA GeForce 9400M, as well as a 9600GT with 512 MB of ram, and I can run 2 displays on this just fine, and trade from this as well. I have been running with a total of 4 screens, 2 with the iMAC, and 2 with the mac pro. But the setup is annoying me, as I have to keep switching computers, etc. etc.

 

I have heard of problems with running the Radeon cards, and unfortunately not sure what can be done about this.

 

I emailed VMWARE asking them if they have any reports, or performance docs showing a mac pro running with 8 monitors. I have been hearing a few guys running with thinkorswim for the mac, and one trader i know has a mac pro with 8 30" displays running, talk about a sweet setup, but very $$$ each 30" display is like 1800.00

 

Also ATI Radeon HD 5970, was released last month, and supports up to 6 monitors from one card!! They are looking to get it for the mac also, but not sure of the time line.

 

 

My thoughts at this point are to see what VMWARE says, as I like to run winblows this way... I mean windows.. and if they support this, I was going to pick up a newer/used mac-pro and load it up to support 8 monitors.

 

I will post the progress

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks Sunilrohira. Yes, unfortunately if you have a Mac Pro older than 2 years and made the mistake of kitting it out with the Radeon cards at the time you are basically stuck. Newer model Macs (younger than 24-18 months) seem not to have the video card driver issues which only seemed to affect the Radeon cards anyway. Interesting to note that there are no video card options on the latest iMacs; its either Radeon or Radeon. Since it will probably be a long time into the future before the software writers get off their butts and start writing Mac/Universal code for trading software, maybe having a dedicated PC for trading isn't so bad (as much as it sticks in my throat to say it). I've loaded Windows 7 onto this one so will be interesting to see if Microsoft has actually learned anything when it comes to OS stability, etc. The Macs are dedicated to everything else.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I would say to consider a windows machine. I personally use TOS on my Mac Powerbook for the whole shabang, but TOS is the only front end that I found to be Mac friendly. Windows has the upper hand when it comes to trading in terms of variety and flexibility. As for what OS I would stick to XP just for stability sake and ease of use. On a personal level I really like TOS, but I know there's more out there I'm just new to trading, but old school to technology. Hope that was helpful. Good luck.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Date: 25th April 2024. Investors Monitor a Potential Japanese Intervention, and upcoming Tech Earnings. Meta stocks top earnings expectations, but revenue guidance for the next 6 months triggers significant selloff. Meta stocks decline 15.00% and the Magnificent Seven also trade lower. Japanese Authorities are on watch and most market experts predict the Japanese Federal Government will intervene once again. The Japanese Yen is the day’s worst performing currency while the Australian Dollar continues to top the charts. The US Dollar trades 0.10% lower, but this afternoon’s performance is likely to be dependent on the US GDP. USA100 – Meta Stocks Fall 15% On the Next 6-Months Guidance The NASDAQ has declined 1.51% over the past 24 hours, unable to maintain momentum from Monday and Tuesday. Technical analysts advise the decline is partially simply a break in the bullish momentum and the asset continues to follow a bullish correction pattern. However, if the decline continues throughout the day, the retracement scenario becomes a lesser possibility. In terms of indications and technical analysis, most oscillators, and momentum-based signals point to a downward price movement. The USA100 trades below the 75-Bar EMA, below the VWAP and the RSI hovers above 40.00. All these factors point towards a bearish trend. The bearish signals are also likely to strengthen if the price declines below $17,295.11. The stock which is experiencing considerably large volatility is Meta which has fallen more than 15.00%. The past quarter’s earnings beat expectations and according to economists, remain stable and strong. Earnings Per Share beat expectations by 8.10% and revenue was as expected. However, company expenses significantly rose in the past quarter and the guidance for the second half of the year is lower than previous expectations. These two factors have caused investors to consider selling their shares and cashing in their profits. Meta’s decline is one of the main causes for the USA100’s bearish trend. CFRA Senior Analyst, Angelo Zino, advises the selloff may be a slight over reaction based on earnings data. If Meta stocks rise again, investors can start to evaluate a possible upward correction. However, a concern for investors is that more and more companies are indicating caution for the second half of the year. The price movements will largely now depend on Microsoft and Alphabet earnings tonight after market close. Microsoft is the most influential stock for the NASDAQ and Alphabet is the third. The two make up 14.25% of the overall index. If the two companies also witness their stocks decline after the earnings reports, the USA100 may struggle to gain upward momentum. EURJPY – Will Japan Intervene Again? In the currency market, the Japanese Yen remains within the spotlight as investors believe the Japanese Federal Government is likely to again intervene. The Federal Government has previously intervened in the past 12 months which caused a sharp rise in the Yen before again declining. The government opted for this option in an attempt to hinder a further decline. Volatility within the Japanese Yen will also depend on today’s US GDP reading and tomorrow’s Core PCE Price Index. However, investors will more importantly pay close attention to the Bank of Japan’s monetary policy. Investors will be keen to see if the central bank believes it is appropriate to again hike in 2024 as well as comment regarding inflation and the economy. In terms of technical analysis, breakout levels can be considered as areas where the exchange rate may retrace or correct. Breakout levels can be seen at 166.656 and 166.333. However, the only indicators pointing to a decline are the RSI and similar oscillators which advise the price is at risk of being “overbought”. Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business. Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report. Click HERE to access the full HFM Economic calendar. Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work. Click HERE to register for FREE! Click HERE to READ more Market news. Michalis Efthymiou Market Analyst HFMarkets Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.
    • $ALVR AlloVir stock bottom breakout watch, huge upside gap, https://stockconsultant.com/?ALVR
    • $DIS Disney stock attempting to move higher off the 112.79 triple support area, https://stockconsultant.com/?DIS
    • $ADCT Adc Therapeutics stock flat top breakout watch above 5.31, https://stockconsultant.com/?ADCT
    • $CXAI CXApp stock local support and resistance areas at 2.78, 3.52 and 5.19, https://stockconsultant.com/?CXAI
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.